Tuesday Links
July 28th, 2009 | by Kevin Hanson |The Ravens open camp with 11 players on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, which includes Willis McGahee and five offensive lineman. Coach John Harbaugh said “this is temporary PUP” for many of the players. And McGahee said, “I’m looking forward to this season. It’s going to be a good season, I can feel it in my bones.”
When asked about Michael Vick, who was conditionally reinstated, Harbaugh said: “We have a course of action that you can ask Ozzie [Newsome, general manager] about.” Meanwhile, Newsome said: “We have three quarterbacks that we like.”
Today, Jim Johnson, who recently stepped down as Eagles’ defensive coordinator, lost his battle against cancer and passed away.
Harbaugh says of his mentor, “I loved Jim Johnson. This is a sad day for so many people who were touched by this great man. … He made me believe I could coach at this level. In football, he was a pioneering and brilliant strategist, changing the way defense is played in the NFL. For me, he was a father-type mentor, and above all, a cherished friend. He belongs in the Hall of Fame. I will miss him so much.”
Ravens receiver Demetrius Williams talked to Derrick Mason last week, but he isn’t sure whether Mason will return or not.
Williams has added five to ten pounds of muscle.
Is the Flacco Reebok commercial real? Or are special effects used? Flacco answered these questions with a question, “do you think I need special effects?”
Nose guard Kelley Gregg said of today’s practice, “I did the whole practice, and it felt good to get out there in the cleats and shoulder pads.”
First-round pick Michael Oher is officially holdout. Only four (of 32) first-round picks have been signed so far.
One of the surprising events of the day was Brett Favre announcing that he’s not coming out of retirement to play for the Vikings this season.
Tags: Demetrius Williams, Derrick Mason, Jim Johnson, Joe Flacco, John Harbaugh, Michael Oher, Michael Vick
